weekly gems

Source: ladybirdln.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Recipes I want to try: Sally's rum french toast with maple syrup rum, cinnamon biscuits, avocado apple and arugula salad, banana birthday cake, Lucky Charms treats, all of these recipes with blood oranges
• Great article on the new buildings on campus at my alma mater, BGSU, and what it means for the state of Ohio.
• Awesome apps for book lovers.
• Interesting post about Irish wedding traditions.
• I might need to try some of these Hunger Games-inspired nail polishes.
• Happy 100th Birthday to the Girl Scouts of America! (well, it was Monday. But still!)
• I'm in love with this series on Carrots 'n' Cake called Blog Dogs. Similarly, tips for photographing your pet!
• The best 35 cameos in movie history.
• Encyclopaedia Britanica is no longer releasing print books.
• The ten funniest comedic lady tweets of the week.
• I'll definitely be checking out this jewelry company, 31 bits, that works with women in Northern Uganda.
• Interesting article on earning money through blogging.
• I definitely want to try out some of these trainer-favorited abs exercises, as well as these leg and arms workouts!
• Favorite Hello Giggles posts of the week: 1, 2, 3, 4
• Favorite weddings of the week: 1, 2, 3

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day : )

new year's all year 2012: february reflections and march goals

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In January I introduced the 2012 New Year's, All Year Challenge, in which I made broad "endpoints" goals for the year and explained that each month I will make specific small goals that are stepping stones to my endpoint aims. Each month I will also reflect on the previous month's goals and efforts.

My goals for February were:

• Health: track food daily; do yoga at least once a week
• Finances: save specific percentage of each paycheck; open separate wedding fund account
• Relationships: cook dinner for Grandma; plan presents and cards for birthdays in March
• Wedding: set a date for engagement photos; research vendors
• Career: sub 3-4 times a week; reflect on swim season and start prepping for swim team award night
• Self-enrichment: Cook and bake more

Reflections on February:

I did well with my goals for career (subbing is going well and swimming ended nicely), wedding (we might have our reception venue chosen!), saving money, and planning out gifts. While I continued to eat decently the majority of the time and attend Zumba when I was able to, I did not do much yoga in February. Also, while I did spend time with my grandma, I was not able to cook a nice dinner for her last month. Similarly, I wasn't able to bake as much as I would have liked. I hope that I will be able to do more (or all!) of these activities in March, as it seems there will be more time since swim season and all post-season work (except for awards night!) is complete now. All that being said...

My goals for March are:

• Health: get enough sleep; stay hydrated
• Finances: keep saving money
• Relationships: complete as many little acts of kindness as possible - like cooking dinner for my grandma, for instance ; )
• Wedding: continue researching and meeting with vendors and start booking them
• Career: read more articles and books related to my content area (social studies)
• Self-enrichment: volunteer - hopefully at the local animal shelter

Do you have any goals for 2012? How are they going? Any for last month? What are your goals for March? It's not too late to become part of the challenge!! : ) Shoot me an email if you decide to join in.

weekly gems

Source: littleg.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Recipes I want to try: mac and cheese cups, beignets, peanut butter and jelly bars, dirty brown rice with shrimp, mini chicken meatball soup, orange spiced cashews
• I LOVE the Oscars and I can't wait for this Sunday evening! In anticipation of the amazing fashion always featured, I enjoyed looking through this slideshow of Oscar's best looks.
• This post by Emily made me feel so relieved. I'm glad to hear other brides who feel overwhelmed at a big wedding ultimately are thankful they are doing/did it!
• Check out this post if you need a smile!
• Adored Jess's inspiring and relatable post on "smurgging." This MML post on "the abs situation" is also a must-read.
• If I was offered the chance to live either here or here, I'd take it!
• How much it would actually cost to build the Death Star.
• Interesting: how the recession is affecting young adults, how marriage is becoming an economic privilege, wedding statistics, and the most loved states.
• Favorite Hello Giggles posts as of late: one, two, three
• Four ways to volunteer and help animals
• It's true, I actually am addicted to ice cream.
• Great tips for planning a vacation.
• Favorite weddings of the week: one, two, three

new year's all year 2012: january reflections and february goals

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelly on Pinterest

Hello, everyone! Has your February gotten off to a good start? So far, mine is going pretty well!

Last month I introduced the 2012 New Year's, All Year Challenge, in which I made broad "endpoints" goals for the year and explained that each month I will make specific small goals that are stepping stones to my endpoint aims. Each month I will also reflect on the previous month's goals and efforts.

My January goals were as follows:

• Health: track food daily; workout three times a week
• Finances: save specific percentage of all paychecks
• Relationships: e-mail out-of-town friends; prepare for Dan and I's three year anniversary
• Wedding: research vendors in the two locations where Dan and I are interested in holding our wedding
• Career: prepare for the end of swim season and substitute frequently
• Self-enrichment: blog much more often

Reflections on January:

I feel as though I did pretty well with these goals! I have been using SparkPeople to track my food, although I have not been disciplined enough in tracking daily (probably only around 3-4 days a week). Tracking my food helped me realize my daily breakfast was too small, and increasing its size helped me stay full longer and eat healthier throughout the day. I did not workout as often as I liked due to my busy schedule with subbing and coaching, but I did get to Zumba classes more than I did in December and greatly enjoyed myself. My finances are doing decently, my relationships are healthy, I've been blogging more often than I had in past months, and I have been working hard at coaching and subbing. The most exciting achievement in January was wedding-related: Dan and I decided where we will be having our wedding! We were debating between Bowling Green (where we went to school and met) and Cleveland (my hometown). We will be getting married in Cleveland! : )

My goals for February are:

• Health: track food daily; do yoga at least once a week
• Finances: save specific percentage of each paycheck; open separate wedding fund account
• Relationships: cook dinner for Grandma; plan presents and cards for birthdays in March
• Wedding: set a date for engagement photos; research vendors
• Career: sub 3-4 times a week; reflect on swim season and start prepping for swim team award night
• Self-enrichment: Cook and bake more

Do you have any goals for 2012 or any for January? How are they going? What are your goals for February? It's not too late to become part of the challenge!! : ) Shoot me an email if you decide to join in.

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

my life: recent happenings via instagram

First three photos: My friend Elizabeth's cute papillon puppy, Rosie (she's 2.5 pounds!); Madison in a basket of blankets; cuddling with my family's dog Sasha while watching Wheel of Fortune with my parents. Middle three photos: fantastic Melt Quesadilla appetizer Dan & I shared on our first trip to Melt Bar & Grilled; my delicious BBQ chicken grilled cheese from Melt; yummy cake from Resch's Bakery, courtesy of my future-in-laws, to celebrate Dan & I's engagement (and in our wedding colors!). Last three photos: Dan & I before his indoor soccer game; Dan knocking down an opponent player while playing; booty from my weekend trip to Target.

Sorry I've been a bit absent lately. (I also apologize if there are formatting issues while viewing this post - some browsers aren't displaying it correctly) The end of the swim season accompanied with subbing and traveling often has taken some toll on my spare time, which has been spent with family and friends with little leftover time for blogging. What have you all been up to lately?

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

weekly gems

Source: hireanillustrator.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• These iPhone cases are pretty cool (I especially love the 3rd and 6th ones!).
• Excited to try these recipes: skinny green monster smoothie, mini lemon meringue pies, crunchy oven-fried cheese ravoli, baked buffalo chicken taquitos
• If Carrie Underwood's musical talent wasn't reason enough to like her, you can add pet rescuer to the list!
• I can't wait to try making my own beautiful bouquet.
• Loving camel as a color for everything and anything lately...although this nude and neon mix is giving camel a run for its money!
• Super pumped for Mackenzie's new online shop!!
• This how to on styling bookshelves by Glitter Guide has me inspired.
• Why you should get a dog and do a crossword puzzle.
• This townhouse is awesome! I would totally live there.
• Need some winter nail inspiration? Look no further!
• Twelve simple tips for strengthening your relationship (Dan and I definitely have 5 and 11 down, but will have to figure out 8 someday!)
• My favorite recent Hello Giggles posts: one, two, three, four
• This video made my day! (A CUP OF JO always has great posts, but this week was top notch!)
• Would you (or did you) ignore any of these wedding traditions? We're not which ones will be incorporating yet ourselves!
• Speaking of weddings, my favorites of the week: one, two, three. Also, an awesome bridal shower!

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

things that are making me happy

Source: cdn.lulztruck.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• The screenshot above - it cracks me up every time I read it!
• Watching wild animal segments on my favorite morning shows (like Good Morning America and Live with Kelly)
• Nights spent simply chatting with hilarious and supportive friends
• Curling up with my Kindle and a big cup of tea
• Going to pick up my wedding dress, trying it on, and having to order the next size down instead : )
• Delicious meals at my favorite local restaurants (like here and here)
• Awesome performances by my swimmers at an invitational meet this past Saturday
• A new pair of gray boots and a gray and white jacket from my fiancé
• Hearing favorite songs on the radio
• Breaks in the crazy winter weather that make it easier to walk the dogs

What's been making you happy lately?

*If for some reason you are having trouble leaving a comment, please e-mail me at beagleandbear@yahoo.com or leave me a comment on Beagle and Bear's Facebook page. Thanks for your help with this issue!

use it: usps 2012 stamps

Hello, everyone! How was your weekend? Mine was pretty great! I had Starbucks with a friend Friday night, spent literally all of the day Saturday at the conference championship meet with my swimmers (who did AWESOME!), and went to a bridal fair on Sunday.

I really enjoy "snail mail," for various reasons, and this week I plan on sending several cards and letters. Have you seen any of the United States Postal Service's 2012 stamps? I'm excited to head down to the post office and pick up some. My favorite ones are:

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Cherry Blossom Centennial

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Dogs at Work

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Mail a Smile (Disney Pixar)

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Bicycling

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Earthscapes: Natural

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

William H. Johnson

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Heart Health

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Frank Capra

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

The War of 1812: USS Constitution

Source: beyondtheperf.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Santa and Sleigh

Do you enjoy sending cards and letters to friends? Which of these stamps or other ones listed at the link above do you like?

weekly gems (and a wish for the world)

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Still not sure what goals you want to make for the 2012 New Year's, All Year Challenge? Check out these suggestions...or these ones, or these ones!
• Love this color palette of the week.
• Justin Timberlake may be engaged, but JC Chasez saved a baby! Big week for former NSYNCers, huh?
• I'm definitely looking forward to the publication of this series!
• Super inspiring success stories from one of my favorite magazines.
• Favorite Hello Giggles posts of the week: one, two, three.
• Favorite weddings of the week: one, two, three.
• This post on Makeunder My Life is so uplifting and comforting - it puts into words exactly how I hope to carry out this year and my goals for it.
• I greatly enjoyed reading through Daily Crush's Highlights and Hopes series - check it out!
• Adore Laura's letter to her 15 year old self.
• Recipes I can't wait to try: herb crusted sweet potato bites, rum raisin cheesecake, Elvis panini, Crockpot chicken Santa Fe, and buffalo chicken pizza rolls.
• And lately I've had the urge to bake a cake...maybe I'll decorate it similarly to this one.
• This year's WGA nominations have provided me with more movies to add to my "to watch" list.
  
• I'm always so inspired by The Shine Project. If I could change one thing in the world, I would make education of all levels available to anyone who wants it, and 100% free, no loans or anything to pay back, as long the program (whatever it may be) is completed in its entirety. Don't ask me how all that free education could be possible, I just know it would make the world a much better place for everyone. What would you change?

new year's all year challenge (new and improved 2012 edition)

Hello, everyone! I hope you had a great holiday season - I sure did! I spent plenty of time with family and friends, decorated my heart out, watched plenty of Christmas movies and specials, and constantly sang and danced to my favorite holiday music.

Source: imgfave.com via Kelly on Pinterest

If you are a longtime reader of this blog, you may remember last year I began a challenge called New Year's, All Year. You may also remember, after a crazy first half of the year, I ended up scaling back my challenge.

I'm the type of person who is always making goals. This year I also want to the be person who is always achieving them. I'm not making a ton of super specific goals in a year-long format and then pulling them back throughout the year due to unexpected challenges. Instead, I'm approaching this year step by step.

First, I recognized the major areas of my life: health, finances, relationships, career, wedding planning, and self-enrichment. Second, I made "endpoint" goals for each of these areas - basically, how I would like to end the year in regards to each area. From there, at the beginning of every month, I will make one or two goals in each area that, when reached, will bring me closer to my endpoint goals. Since I am making these monthly goals throughout the year, I will be able to take into account any new obstacles and then set realistic, measurable objectives (while I will always write out my objectives in a detailed manner, I may not always share all the specifics on this blog, for privacy reasons). The one aspect of last year's New Year's, All Year Challenge that I would like to keep is sharing my journey with YOU!

Source: marcypenner.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

My 2012 endpoint goals are:

• Health: live an overall healthier lifestyle
• Finances: be more organized, balanced, and responsible
• Relationships: maintain mutually supportive relationships that are in balance with one another
• Wedding: have location and date set and all major vendors booked
• Career: aggressively pursue full-time teaching position; develop my coaching skills and knowledge while also developing the school's swimming program further
• Self-enrichment: allow "me" time without overindulging; actively participate in passions, hobbies, interests, etc. further
  

My January goals are:

• Health: track food daily; workout three times a week
• Finances: save specific percentage of all paychecks
• Relationships: e-mail out-of-town friends; prepare for Dan and I's three year anniversary
• Wedding: research vendors in the two locations where Dan and I are interested in holding our wedding
• Career: prepare for the end of swim season and substitute frequently
• Self-enrichment: blog much more often
  

I feel like in 2011, among all the fun, love, and laughter, and despite the stress, self-doubt, and hardships, I learned a great deal about living life in a balanced and positive way. I am very excited to put those lessons to use this year, and to share my experiences with you. If any of you would like to join me in the new and improved New Year's, All Year Challenge, leave a comment and let me know! 2012 is definitely going to be a wonderful year : )

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

weekly gems

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Awesome tips for hanging a gallery wall.
• I wish I could go to NYC and see these window displays!
• Ways to save money this holiday season.
• Absolutely adore everything on this spread dedicated to long winter weekends.
• Changing up my Netflix queue after reading FYA's Top 10 British Shows You Should Be Watching.
• I want to try this juice drink!
• Excited to try some of these recipes: top 20 holiday vegetarian meals, butternut squash stuffed shells, and pear cranberry walnut bread
• A great list of things people are thankful for.
• Favorite Hello Giggles posts of the week: one, two, and three
• Definitely love this house tour of an apartment in San Francisco.
• Loving these weddings: one, two, three
• Tips for upping your worth at work.
• Still more recipes I want to try: grilled turkey and brie sandwich with cranberry chutney and Carol's pear pie with almond streusel and caramel drizzle

weekly gems

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Tips for better sleep.
• This slideshow of what men love about women is both hilarious and heartwarming.
• Recipes I want to try: cinnamon roles, cranberry pear salsa, mashed fall potatoes with bacon and thyme, and hot vanilla cider.
• Like Harry Potter? Then you'll LOVE this tumblr.
• Get your George Clooney fix here.
• Adore this video of a police officer helping ducks cross the road!
• While browsing Pinterest this week, I came across the wonderful tumblr Cape Cod Collegiate. I'm inspired by pretty much everything posted on it!
• Favorite Hello Giggles posts of the week: one, two, three.
• This Health with Intention post on MML intrigued me - what a simple but effective idea!
• In case you missed it, here is a synopsis and quick video clip of Regis Philbin's farewell show. (I'm going to miss him!)
• If you're an Instagram addict like me, be sure to check out Glitter Guide's follow recommendations.
• Favorite weddings of the week: one, two, three. Also, check out the photos of my friend Kelly's gorgeous wedding from a few weeks ago! Just beautiful : )

weekly gems

Source: google.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Totally want to listen to this mix as I read my copy of the book!
• Tips for online holiday shopping this season.
• Awesome suggestions for the next season of Dancing with the Stars.
• Recipes I can't wait to try: homemade potato chips, s'moretini shooters, and Muppets cake pops.
• This room is neat, pretty, classy, and low-key. I love it!
• Loving A CUP OF JO's entertaining week.
• I always enjoy Emily's Five Things posts, but I especially loved this week's.
• This story really got my attention. I would be so heartbroken if it happened to me, but Elissa's attitude regarding it is admirable.
• So inspired by Glamour's 2011 Women of the Year!
• A Birchbox subscription has definitely been added to my Christmas list!
• I absolutely adore these shades of green.
• This desk is awesome.
• Weddings I am loving this week: one, two, three, four.

outfit envy

While Dan and I won't be getting married until mid-2013, I can't help but let wedding and marriage plans sneak into my everyday thoughts - especially after this weekend, when I went to an incredibly beautiful wedding of a dear friend from college! I've always loved the idea of gray as one of our wedding colors, and ever since we got engaged, I'm hyper-aware of how other colors pop out when paired with it. I especially love the way gray and vibrant colors are used in the outfits below:

Source: polyvore.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I love how using gray and denim in the big pieces like the shirt, pants, and bag and bright orange in the scarf, shoes, and belt is both casual and stylish.

Source: polyvore.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Yellow and gray is such a gorgeous, happy, and calm combo of colors, and I love the way this outfit pairs them in a professional yet pretty way.

Source: polyvore.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I think this outfit is an excellent example of how the color paired with gray doesn't necessarily have to be a bright color in order to stand out. The use of light purple in the main pieces and simple gray accents is peaceful and romantic.

What do you think of the use of gray in outfits, as either the starring role or as an accent? What colors do you prefer to pair it with?

weekly gems

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Best. App. Ever.
• An excellent idea for displaying and organizing a collection of sunglasses!
• Secrets of people who rarely get sick.
• Loved this Refinery 29 tour of Coach's NYC offices!
• Ten celebrity marriages that were even shorter than Kim and Kris's crazy 72 days.
• Will you join the thankful challenge?
• I'm looking forward to all of the movies and shows featured in Buzz Sugar's November Entertainment Must Haves!
• Definitely want to try out these recipes: healthy and quick fish meals, cranberry pear sauce, sweet potato risotto, and whole wheat autumn apple pizza.
• 150 AWESOME gift ideas!
• Ten things to do when insomnia strikes.
• I adore these shoes!
• Five tips for making your house appear cleaner than it is.
• Inspiring wallpaper download for November from MML.
• Love these weddings: one, two, and three.

weekly gems

Source: skiptomylou.org via Kelly on Pinterest

• This amazing post on Hello Giggles this week pretty much made my life!!
• Halloween costumes for dogs and cats.
• Dazzled by these gorgeous brooches and this beautiful clutch!
• Definitely want to make: apple cider margaritas, mashed sweet potatoes brulee, slow cooker, apple crumble, and Rosa's lentil salad.
• It probably doesn't sound like it from my description, but the obituary of the last remaining member of Cleveland's first police academy class is a must-read.
• Who else is pumped to see this balloon in the Macy's Parade this year?
• Tips on how to improve your immunity.
• Do you tweet? If so, check out Cosmo's recommendations on who to follow for big laughs!
• I wish I could wear outfits like this one every day.
• Some scary movie suggestions for you this Halloween weekend!
• Green is my favorite color : )
• I'd love to spend a weekend in this cottage.
• Favorite weddings of the week: one, two, and three.